Which of the following types of mutations would be predicted

Which of the following types of mutations would be predicted to harm an organism? Explain your answers.

(a) Insertion of a single nucleotide near the end of a coding sequence.

(b) Removal of a single nucleotide near the beginning of the coding sequence.

(c) Deletion of three consecutive nucleotides in the middle of the coding sequence.

(d) Deletion of four consecutive nucleotides in the middle of the coding sequence.

(e) Substitution of one nucleotide for another in the middle of the coding sequence

Solution

The development and function of an organism is in large part controlled by genes. Mutations can lead to changes in the structure of an encoded protein or to a decrease or complete loss in its expression.Because a change in the DNA sequence affects all copies of the encoded protein, mutations can be particularly damaging to a cell or organism.

so the answer is (e) Substitution of one nucleotide for another in the middle of the coding sequence